The Blake Estate Collection spans the years ca. 1922-1998 and contains records documenting its history as the private residence
of Anson S. and Anita Blake and later as a teaching resource owned and managed by the University of California, Berkeley,
Department of Landscape Architecture, now the Department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning. Included are
projects by professional architects and landscape architects, as well as design projects by landscape architecture students.

Background

Considered one of the most important gifts to the University of California, the Blake Estate includes a Spanish style house
designed by architect Walter Bliss located on 10 acres of rolling terrain with outcroppings of Lawsonite rock, two creeks,
and views of the San Francisco Bay and the Golden Gate. Mrs. Anita Blake and her sister Mabel Symmes are credited with the
design and major planting of the grounds, which feature a formal grotto and reflecting pool. The home and garden are representative
of the eclectic period in California design.

Extent

1 box, 1 flat file drawer, 12 tubes.

Restrictions

All requests for permission to publish, reproduce, or quote from materials in the collection should be discussed with the
Curator.